Dark pasts, Darker Secrets

A/N: I DO NOT OWN YU-GI-OH IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM NOR DO I MAKE ANY MONEY FROM THE WRITING OF THI STORY blah blah blah....You've been waiting long enough for this chapter so let's go!

Bakura and Ryou walked down the block in the direction of the school in utter silence. Bakura was dreading getting there. He would have to go see the principal....after the firs time, he had vowed to never go back to that fruitcake. Plus, he couldn't afford to be kicked out of the school...not when he had finally found Ryou! He shook his head and concentrated on the problem at hand. Suddenly a thought hit him. Seto would be able to get them out of this! Then his hopes dropped as he remembered that Seto went home for the weekends. Maybe he would take Ryou there? He had been there plenty of times. Hopefully Seto would understand and let Ryou stay the night too...

Ryou was feeling horrible about the whole situation. He had his mind closed to Bakura, needing to think in silence. It was only his first month and he was already getting into trouble. Would he be kicked out? What would his father say?

He had never been trouble before! Maybe he should have listened to his instincts in the beginning and stayed away from Bakura....but then again, this whole situation was his own fault. If he hadn't run off the train, they would have made it into the school on time. Ryou looked back at the taller boy, gasping when he didn't see him.

"Ryou!" Bakura's voice called a few seconds later. Ryou's head whipped around to see the other boy standing at the corner staring at him. "I've been calling your name for like...five minutes. I have an idea."

Ryou smiled and hurried to his friend. Together they crossed the street, Bakura practically running. Ryou had to rush to keep up with the other boy's long strides. "Where are we going?" He gasped out.

"Seto's. He always goes home on the weekends, so I figured we could go there for the night."

Ryou worried his bottom lip as they hurried along. Would Seto let him into his home? He gulped and hurried after Bakura once again, falling a bit behind.
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The two boys stared up at the large gates that lead to the even larger house. Ryou's eyes were wide with shock and his mouth hung open. "*This* is Seto's house!? It's huge!"

Bakura chuckled. "Yeah...he's always been a show off."

Ryou shook his head. "How did he come to have such a huge home?" Bakura scratched his head, thinking up a lie quickly. "You see, his father left him his company when he passed away, and since then Seto's expanded it into the Kaiba Corp. you know today."

Ryou almsot fell. Seto was the owner of the illustrious Kaiba Corp?! "Wow...I had no clue..." Bakura nodded and laughed. "That's why he always comes home on the weekends. He needs to check on the business and do some work himself."

He knew Seto had other people running his business for him, but he had to tell Ryou something! Walking up the a lare sote pillar, Bakura pressed a small button. "Kaiba residence," a female voice said over the intercom. "Hey Sara, it's Bakura. Is Seto there?"

There was a moment of silence bfore the woman spoke again. "No, I'm sorry. Mr. Kaiba is not here at the moment...We don't know when to expect him back." Bakura cursed and slumped against the wall. So much for his brialliant plan. "Oh well...looks like we have to go back to school...and be punished." Ryou gulped and nodded, hanging his head. This was all his fault.

As they began walking away, a faint voice caught their attention. Ryou turned and his eyes widened. "Is that...Jonouichi!?"

Bakura turned to look and he smiled. "I don't believe it...Seto's with him."

The two boys breathed a collective sigh of relief as Jonouichi and Seto walked up to them. "Ryou! What are you doing out so late?" Jou's eyes went to Bakura and he grinned. "I see....you're on a date?"

Ryou sputtered for a moment, then crossed his arms, his many packages hitting agsint his body. "For your information, we were simply shopping. That and Bakura was showing me around. Its been a while since I was here." Jou laughed and ruffled the smaller boy's hair. "It's only your first month and you're getting into trouble? I guess we taught you well."

Seto watched as Jou pulled Ryou aside to talk, then turned to Bakura. The white haired boy flinched away from the pure rage in Seto's eyes. He had forgotten how scary that look was..."What the hell is wrong with you!?" The brunette hissed, tightening his grip painfully on Bakura's arm. "You know little tricks like this will get you sent to that bastard!"

The white haired boy winced and looked away from his angered friend. Before he could answer Ryou walked up to them, a guilty look on his face. "I'm afraid this is all my fault...we lost track of time shopping, and then I had to stop somwehere..." He looked down, his body sagging.

Seto sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I guess we have no choice...you two are staying at my house tonight." Ryou and Bakura both smiled up at the brunette. "But this is the last time!" He growled.

The two boys nodded. He turned back to a confused Jonouichi and sighed. "Let's go, mutt." Was all he said before he turned to the large gates. Punching the intercom button, he spoke with Sara a moment and the gates opened, the mechanics whirring.

"I'm very surprised Seto is doing this for us..." At Bakura's confused look, Ryou sighed. "You see....Seto and I don't get along that well."

Bakura chuckled and continued following the bantering Seto and Jou. "Yeah....he's the type of guy that if you don't get to really know him he's hard to get along with."

Ryou nodded and looked ahead. "Was he always like this?"

The taller boy glanced at Ryou's face then shook his head. "No. He used to care a lot about things, until one day..." he stopped a moment to take a breath. "Let's just say it was like he lost a part of his soul. But..." Bakura watched Seto ahead of them, feeling his his worries lessen as Seto smiled an actual genuine smile. "I think that lost part has been found.."

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Yami lay on his bed staring up at the ceiling, his face drawn with boredom. It was times like this he had a cell phone. How he hated Seto for that privelidge. He had begged him for one, but of course the stingy boy had said no every time. He sighed. Tis silence was driving him mad! What also aggrivated him was the fact that Seto had gone home for the weekend and not invited him. It was the first time it had ever happened. Of course deep down Yami knew he wanted to spend some time with Jonouichi. The boy pouted.

Just as he thought he was going to pull his hair out from boredom there was a knock on the door. "Come in!" he called, maybe a little too expectantly. The door opened and Marik stuck his head in.

"Hey Yami...." the tan boy smiled then squeaked as Malik shoved him through the door. "Hey! Move your ass! I wanna see Yami too."

Yami smiled in gratitude as the two shuffled into his room. "You have impeccable timing. I was very bored." The tan boys smiled and flopped down on the bed before Yami could move, effectively crushing his legs.

"No wonder you were bored...you should really do something with this room....it's so....plain." said Marik as he laid back, ignoring Yami's twitching legs.

"Oh?" Yami asked finally pulling his lower half from under the two lovers. "And what do you suggest? A carpet and throw rug outside that says 'home sweet home'?"

Malik laughed. "No,not that far...maybe some paintings...or I can draw something on your wall for you! I do have advanced art this term." Marik rolled his eyes at the apparent bragging, which Malik missed as he continued. "How about some heiroglyphics or something?"

Yami smiled at the thought, but shook his head. "No, but thank you. I somewhat like the room the way it is. Boring walls and all. It doesn't remind me of anything....from the past." His eyes went dark as he looked towards the window.

Malik sighed and reached over, tapping Yami on the head. "Stop thinking like that...What was done is done, and nothing can change that. Not even Seto can go up against the gods. So please, cheer up?" Yami turned and smiled. "Of course. You're right...I have to stop beating myself up about things....Look at what's happened....Bakura found his light, Seto found the missing piece of his soul, and you two...."

Marik smiled. "Yep...and all that you have to do is seal the deal with Yuugi. After that, I'm sure the gods will forgive us...." Yami smiled and nodded.

A knocking on the door made the three on the bed jump. "C-come in..." Yami called. Who would be calling at this time of the night?" The three boys turned to look as Yuugi poked his head in. His soft violet eyes went wide. "Oh! I'm sorry....did I come at a bad time?"

Yami smiled softly, his eyes warming, turning their depths to a soft ruby color. "Not at all. Please come in." The small boy hesitated for a moment, then came in, shutting the door behind him, but not moving away from it. "What seems to be bothering you, little one? Can't sleep?" Yuugi nodded quickly, apparently anxious about being in the same room with Malik and Marik.

The tan boys stood and headed for the door, chuckling as the small boy almost ran from their path. "Well, I guess this is good night, Yami."

'We'll leave you two...alone....' Malik wiggled his eyebrows at the tri-colored haired boy as he sent the mental images. The two exited the room giggling, shutting the door quickly to dodge the pillow thrown at them.

"I don't like those two..." Yuugi said, bending over to grab the pillow on the floor. Yami chuckled and threw his legs over the side of the bed. "They're a little much sometimes...but I'd rather have them at my back when I'm in trouble than anyone else." Yuugi stared at Yami with wide eyes. "I trust those two with my life, though it may not look it at times, they are my rock. I have been leaning on them for quite some time...." he turned his ruby eyes to Yuugi. "But I think it's time for me to stop."

The smaller boy shuffled his feet nervously. "I-I think it's great to have friends like that...I think Jonouichi and Otogi are the same way for me." Yami smiled and patted his hand on the mattress. "So what brings you here so late?" Yuugi shrugged and went towards Seto's bed, blatantly ignoring Yami's request for him to sit next to him. "I just couldn't sleep....I kept having these odd dreams. That, and my room mate snores could wake the dead."

Yami threw his head back and laughed. "I see,"" said chuckling. "Well, I'm glad you're here. I couldn't sleep either. This room is too quiet at the moment. Seto is gone, so I have no one I can talk to."

Yuugi nodded and looked down. "It's the same with me... I've never been alone for an entire weekend, and I see you going off the campus all the time with your gang." Yami cocked his head. "Gang? We've been called many things, but I don't believe gang was one of them..."

Yuugi stared at him with an almost shocked look. "You mean you've never heard what the other kids say about you? From day one they said you were all part of a gang, and I've also heard some rumors that you've killed people. Even the teachers are afraid of you."

Yami winced at one statement and looked away. "I will be truthful with you, little one.... I have done many horrible things in my past...." he looked at Yuugi to see his expression. The smaller boy said nothing, his face solemn as he listened. A warning in Yuugi's brain went off, just like all the other times he was close to Yami... It was almost as if something was telling him that Yami was going to do soemthing horrible to him, and that it had happened before....

"It was so many years ago, but the pain is still there, like a new wound reopening every time I open my eyes and take a breath, but that is all I can say....for now...." Yuugi got up and crossed the room. He sat next to Yami and put a hand on his. "I'm sure it wasn't that bad....everyone has a few skeletons in the closet.... and you were probably only a child then." Yami shook his head, tears swimming in his eyes.

Why was he telling this to the one soul he needed to live? "No.... It was an act of rage and hatred. The worst kind.... I am sure he will never forgive me..." Yuugi coud feel the waves of pain and remorse flowing from Yami, almost overwhelming him. "I'm sure he has...." The smaller boy clenched Yami's hand.

"I would forgive you."

Yami smiled and suddenly threw his arms around the small body. "Thank you..." he whispered. "That is all I needed to hear, aibou."

That name eased Yuugi into wrapping his arms around Yami and he held him. "Yami...." The taller boy sat back, his eyes darkened with unshed tears. "Can I sleep in here tonight?" Yami's body visibly jumped and his eyes went wide. Once again he was shocked by the boldness of his little one... 'Mine...' he thought and liked the sound of it.

Yuugi giggled. 'I can be yours if you want.' Yami smiled as electricity raced from his heart to his groin, hardening a certain member of his anatomy. He was so glad he wore a long shirt at that moment.... "Go right ahead. Maybe then I can get some sleep as well. We have a date tomorrow, if you remember." Yuugi's face went beet red and he nodded. "I-I remember...so goodnight... Yami."

"Good night, Yuugi." The way Yami said his name sent a thrill through Yuugi's body as he got up off the bed and almost flew across the room to the vacant bed.

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Seto, Jonouichi, Bakura and Ryou finally made their way up the very long driveway that was shrouded with trees and shrubs. Jou and RYou were both flabergasted at the house that stood before them. Though, Ryou was sure that house was not a term used for an entire zipcode.

"This is your *house*?!" Jou cried. "Yes," Seto said dully and continued walking.

Bakura followed him, then stopped to look back at the still gaping Ryou. "Coming?" He called. The smaller boy nodded and slowly made his way towards the mansion. The entire house was white, and in the front was a roman style arch, held up by plain pillars that shone like pearls in the lights from te huge garden. As they walked up the marble stairs Ryou shook his head. "It's like being in a fairytale..." he mumbled under his breath in awe.

"It's only for this one night," Seto said as he pushed open the double doors. The smaller boy nodded and lowered his eyes as he walked in. Seto followed right after the group, standing by Jou only to stop him from breaking any of the busts in the hall.

"I missed this place," Bakura said taking a deep breath and looking around. "I take it you've been here before due to your subtle reaction," Ryou said. Bakura nodded. "Many times with Yami, Malik and Marik. Too bad they're not here. It doesn't feel the same. True Yami's not been here for a number of occasions, but we had to do things he woulnd't have been appreciative of.."

Without another word he walked away, disappearing into a room. Seto watched him go then looked at Ryou. The smaller boy turned and smiled shakily at the brunette. "I... I haven't had a chance to say thank you....so....thank you very much." He bowed low, his hair hanging over his face.

Seto grunted and turned away, but not before he spoke. "If you do anything to hurt Bakura, you had better watch your back." He then left to yell at Jonouichi not to touch something. Ryou stared after him shaking.

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Jonouichi stared open mouthed at all the fine furniture in the room he stared into. How was it that Kaiba could afford this? He must be some kind of billionaire, he thought. 'Yes, as a matter of fact I am.'

Seto's voice in his head made him jump and he spun around to see the smirking boy standing in the doorway, his hip leaning against the doorjamb. "Don't you think it's time for you to go to bed? I would think you've had a tiring day." His blue eyes became darker with lust as his eyes roamed over Jou's body slowly, his gaze lingering on his groin.

Jonouichi blushed and covered his genitals. "Do you mind!?" he hissed, looking past the brunette to Ryou and Bakura talking in the hall. 'We could always make this a private conversation...' Jou only blushed more as with Seto's voice he also felt fingers trailing down his body. "Stop it!" he hissed louder. "I would not rather not walk past Ryou with a hard on and you staring at my ass! And don't you think we should talk first?"

Seto laughed at that statement and stepped closer. "Oh, I wouldn't just be staring.... I would be grabbing...And talking can come later." As if t prove his point Jou yelped as he felt a painful pinch in his rear. Seto never moved, only his eyes held a hint of amusement.

Ryou and Bakura turned to look at them. Bakura smirked and turned Ryou away to look at a piece of art. "Now look what you did! How the hell do you do that!? It's like you have supernatural powers!" Jou cried. With a wave of his hand the doors shut behind Seto and he stalked closer to Jonouichi, his eyes glittering with hunger and lust."Oh yes...I do...did I forget to mention that I also have X-ray vision?"

The blonde backed away, holding his hands up. "N-now wait a minute....Ryou and Bakura are out there right now....and plus we've already done it twice today!" His blushed furiously. Seto's face never changed, he just kept stalking closer to his prey.

With a cry Jou ran from the advancing boy, his body sizzling with electrifying heat. Just from one look.... Why did his body betray him like that? 'Run run as fast as you can, pup....' Seto called in his mind.

With a burst of speed Jou ran up a flight of stairs. At the first door he charged through it, the knob hitting the wall with a resounding thud. Quickly he slammed it shut, leaning against it, panting. What was wrong with Seto? He had never seen him like that....

There was a moment of silence before Jou was literally thrown from the door, his body being dragged over to a large bed in the middle of the room. "No!" He cried, digging his feet into the plush blue carpet. With force he was almost slammed on the mattress and try as he may he couldn't get up.

The door opened behind him, and Jou felt a shudder of anticipation and excitement run through his body. Seto's feet made no noise as he made his way over to the squirming body on his bed. "I told you.... you can run, but you can't hide..." With that he fell on the bed, releasing Jou and from there on they pleasured one another well into the night.

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Bakura lead Ryou down a hall on the second floor, telling the boy about the pieces of art and the sculptures everywhere. "You sure do know about this place..."

Bakura nodded. "Yes...we were with Seto when he bought it. We all liked it, and even pitched in some of our collections we gathered over the years." Ryou chuckled and the taller boy looked at him. "What?" Ryou smiled. "You always talk like your thousands of years old. What is it with you?"

Bakura's eyes went wide. Had he done it again? "Well.... I'm just mature for my age," he said with a small laugh, then changed the subject quickly. "Did you see a room you liked yet?" Ryou nodded. "Yes. The one at the end of the hall. When I saw the bed, I wanted to just curl up in it and sleep. Have you?" Bakura chuckled. "Yeah...I had to change rooms. The room I usually sleep in is being used at the moment....scared the hell out of one of the maids already."

Ryou laughed. "Well, I think we had better get to bed so we can get up early and go to school." Bakura smiled and stepped to the side, making a curteous bow. "Then go, young sir." Ryou giggled and bade him goodnight, then went down the hall for a good night's rest.

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The red of the clock kept Seto awake as he stared up at the ceiling. He had something to do that was too important for him to sleep at all. But, he knew of the dangers since he had Jou with him, but he knew he had to have the boy in order for this to work. He could always use the bathroom, but the noise might wake the sleeping blonde. With a soft smile he looked down at the blonde head that was pillowed on his chest, his lashes casting dark shadows over his cheeks. How had he never noticed how beautiful Jonouichi was in the past?

WIth that thought Seto almost laughed. Anubis was going to get a kick out of this one. Moving slowly so not to wake Jonouichi he slipped from the bed and threw on his robe, covering his nudity. With one last look at the blonde he made his way from the room. Making his way quickly down the hall he thought of which room would be the best to perform the ritual in. He hadn't done it in so long.... The most he did was meditate and speak to the gods....

Finally he reached a few unused rooms in the west wing and entered a spacious room, closing the door softly behind him. He made his way to the center of the pitch black room he sat on the floor, crossing his legs, his hands on his knees.

Dropping his head forward so his chin rested on his chest he concentrated on the shadows, willing his energy to congregate to the spot before him. 'Oh great god of the underworld and all things forsaken from light, I beseech you...I call you to appear in front of this, your faithful servant as he calls you.' He chanted the words in his head louder and louder, until finally he fell into a deep trance, opening the door between this world and the gods.

A fullness entered his mind, filling him with warmth, but also with a cold, distant presence. Opening his eyes Seto stared straight ahead of him as a figure appeared, light coming from intangible torches floating in the air. The shadows seemed to become deeper and deeper until finally a solid form could be seen.

Seto quickly raised himself to his knees, bowing low, his head touching the floor. "I welcome you on this night, My Lord Anubis." Seto's voice was rough with the unused language of his homeland.

The jackal god glanced at him then looked around the room. "Not for the longest time have you called my presence, High Priest.... In the past you have only called me in great need, but.... those times there was something familiar....this night, you seem different. It is almost as if your soul and your body are glowing....I noticed earilier in the day as I passed the hall of souls, yours has almost disappeared from its depths, along with your companions...."

Seto smiled at the keen observance of the god and raised his head to look Anubis in the eyes. "My Lord....I greatly accquire your assistance. I am in dire need of the spell to revers what you and the other great gods and goddesses have placed upon me and my companions those many millenia ago." Anubis was silent, his eyes narrowed as if in though, but the air around them betrayed his obvious surprise.

"High priest..." the god said finally. "Could it be....you have found your missing piece?" Seto's smile spoke for itself. "I have, my lord. Please.... As you can tell I am desperately in need of that spell, and I beg you forgiveness for being so lewd about it., but if I do not perform the ritual to reconnect his soul with mine.... I fear we will lose on of our most trusted and dearest friends".

Anubis nodded, his golden eyes narrowing once again. "I assume you speak of the thief, Bakura?" Seto nodded. "Yes, my lord....We fear the curse has taken its toll on him the worst of all of us. Over the years he has turned cold and bitter, nothing like the man we once knew. Without that spell, I cannot bind the others with their missing selves." Slowly he lowered himself, his forehead touching the floor, his hands stretched out before him. "I beg of you, as your humble servant, slave and worshipper, to please have mercy on us and allow me to have the scroll."Without looking up he added, "Haven't we suffered long enough for our long past mistakes and paid our atonements?"

He raised his head. "I believe we have...if we hadn't, why would our lights show themselves to us?" Anubis looked deep in thought and all was silent for a long moment before he nodded. "I will conference with the others.... If they all agree, then I will give you what you desire and the boy will be yours. If not-"

The jackal god was cut off by a small noise by the door that sounded like a whimper. Seto turned and gasped at Jonouichi. Why hadn't he sensed him coming? The blonde stared back at him with fear filled eyes, his hand gripping the door knob so tightly his knuckles were turning white. Anubis eyes the boy curiously before he turned his attention back to Seto, who still stared at Jou with horror and shock.

"If my brothers and sisters agree with you on this, then we will give you what you want.... that is if you can keep the boy with you long enough for my return." Seto looked at his lord silently. "That is all I will say on the subject." He looked at Jou and smiled, though the sight was horrifying for the blonde. "Go and talk alone." That was all he said before he disappeared, the shadwos in the room lightening.

Seto stood and held his hands out slowly and took a small step towards his lover. Jonouichi whimpered and took a step back, shaking his head. "Jou.." Seto started. "Let me explain what you saw...." He let his mind out, offering the information to the blonde through their mental link. As soon as Jou felt Seto's mind trying to touch his, he let out a scream and ran away from the door. Seto growled and took after the boy.
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Ryou snuggled into his pillow and was just falling asleep when the door to his rom burst open. The white haired boy let out a terrified scream, jerking up, bringing the blankets with him, holding them to his chin. Jonouichi hurried from the door towards the bed, his face a white mask of fear in the dim lighting. "Jonouichi?" Ryou mumbled, relaxing his death grip on the sheets. "What's wrong?"

The blonde was panting, his body shaking as he almost fell against Ryou's bed. "We have to get out of here," he panted, swallowing loudly. "Jou, what are you talking about?" Ryou was highly confused. "I...I saw Seto....he was sitting in a room..... and he and this....*thing* were talking." He shook his head, his hand flying thought his hair shakily. "Ryou I was so scared! The thing had the body of a human and the face of a.... it looked like a dog..... Seto was talking to a demon! And it said something about Bakura!"

Ryou smiled and shook his head, his hand reaching out to pat Jou's hand. "You must have been dreaming, Jou. I very highly doubt Seto would be talking to a demon, especially not about Bakura. I think you'd better go back to bed, or better yet you can stya here tonight so that if it happens again-"

"It was not a damned dream!" Jou yelled, his face screwed up in anger. "What I saw was too real to be a dream! I was hoping that was what it was, but it wasn't! What I saw was real!"

Suddenly the sound of quick heavy footsteps came down the hall, nearing the door. Jou cried out and leapt up, running to the door and slamming it shut, locking it quickly. "We have to find a way out of here..." he whispered to Ryou who was nor scared. Moments later a fist was pounding on the door, the force of it shaking the windows.

"Jonouichi! Open this door! I need to talk to you!" Seto's voice came through the door.

Jou shook his head, knowing Seto wouldn't be able to see him. "NO!" He cried. "I will not talk with someone who talks to demons!" Seto sighed, the door groaning as he leaned against it. "Jou... It wasn't a demon. I can't explain it right now, but if you open the door and talk to me, I will." He sent the image of his face, worry lines creasing his eyebrow. "Please?"

Jonouichi slammed the mental link between them shut, shaking when he heard Seto cry out. The blonde was shaking now, as was Ryou at this point. "Oh my god...Jou..how are we going to get out?" he whispered.

Seto tried to open the door with force, the wood groaning and almost splitting witht he force of the punches. "What the hell is going on out here!?" Bakura's voice came through the door and he sounded irritated. "You woke me up with all your damned banging."

Ryou shot out of the bed, running to the door. "Get away from him Bakura!" His hand flew tot eh lock, trying to move JOu's hand away from it. He had to save Bakura! "There's something wrong with him! RUN!"

"What the hell is going out here?" Bakura asked, exasperated. "I don't want to explain it right now...not unless Jou is out of that room." Bakura dragged a hand down his face. "I don't care.... you woke me up, so tell me what the hell is going on here."

Seto sighed and ung his head. "I... I was talking with Anubis and Jou....I didn't even sense him coming! He saw me and Anubis and he got scared and ran off, locking himself in here."

"YOU LET HIM SEE YOU!?" Bakura cried.

Seto slammed his fist into the wall, making both boys jump inside the room. 'I DIDN'T MEAN TO!" he raged back.

Jonouichi and Ryou were heard through the door whimpering. "Look....we can't be standing here having a screaming match while Jonouichi and Ryou are in there scared and only getting worse." Suddenly Seto was flooded with fear and flashes of Jou's thoughts ran through his head. 'That thing... so scary.....Was it a demon?'

It was almost as if the blonde was seeking out the touch of his mind for comfort. Seto growled and stepped away from teh door. "Now what?" Bakura growled. "You'd better step back," Seto said darkly, his hands waving in the air quickly, the energy around him sparking.

With a relieved sigh at the soud of Seto walking away Ryou and Jou stepped away from the door. Maybe he gave up? Ryou thought relieved. From the sound fo it Bakura was safe, but he was still worried about him. As the white haired boy slid down the wall next to Jonouichi he heard an odd noise from the door, almost as if the wood were swelling....

Another second later the door exploded into the room, chips and chunks of wood flying everywhere. The two boys in the room screamed, huddling into one another. Seto stood in the doorway, his eyes glowing ice blue, his body sparking as if electrically charged in the gray rays of the dawn. Bakura's head popped over Seto's shoulder and stared at Ryou and Jou. Seto took a step into the room, towering over the two huddled shapes. "You two, up.... I think it's time we have a little talk."
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Slowly Yami came awake, the warm morning sun touching his face. He let out a loud yawn and stretched, then stopped when he felt something move against his side. Looking down he spotted a small tuft of red hair poking from underneath the covers.

Slowly Yami pulled the blanket down and found Yuugi asleep, his smaller body curled against Yami's, his face peaceful, his light pink lips parted slightly. Yami smiled and moved, turning on his side to watch the little one, studying his face. His long dark lashes swept over his cheeks and his nose wrinkled cutely as he shifted a bit. The sun reached its morning peak, the golden rays touching Yuugi's head softly, as if creating a halo for the boy. The sight took Yami's breath away.

He looked exactly like he did during those mornings the boy cherished. Lightly Yami's hand ghosted Yuugi's face, in awe of this peaceful moment. As Yami tucked a stray hair behind Yuugi's head, the boy began to stir. The smaller boy opened his eyes, their lilac depths clouded over with sleep, making him look even more adorable.

"Good morning, little one," Yami said, amusement in his voice. Yuugi gasped, his head jerking up. He moved away so quickly he he didn't realize he had reached the end of the bed and fell off. "Yuugi?" Yami peered over the side of the bed at the little body splayed out on the floor. "Aer you all right?"

Yuugi groaned and rubbed his head. As soon as he looked up at Yami he was shocked. How did he get over here? Through his panic Yuugi could sense the amusement, as well as the peace that radiated from Yami. "I-I'm sorry!" The small boy cried, not knowing what else to say.

Yami smiled softly. "It's quite all right, little one." 'Plus it is not an undesireable way to wake up in the morning.' Yuugi blushed at the thoughts Yami sent him and stood, dusting off his pants. "I don't even remember moving last night..." he muttered looking at the neatly made bed across the room.

It was as if he hadn't even slept in it last night. Yami shook his head and sat up, stretching his arms above his head. "Well, since we're both up how about we go get breakfast?" Yuugi nodded and walked to the door. "I'll meet you there. I want to get dressed... and...thanks for letting me stay last night..." he sent Yami a bright smile as he reached the door.

Before he could reach the handle, the door burst open slamming against the wall with a resounding thud. Yuugi squeaked and practically ran out of Seto's way, the glare he sent the boy enough to scare anyone. A few moments later Jonouichi and Ryou and Bakura came through the door. Jonouichi sagged the whole way he walked, his face pale and dark shadows under his eyes. Ryou and Bakura stuck close together as they walked.

"Seto?" Yami asked incredulously. "What are you doing back so early? You usually spend the entire weekend at your house..."

Seto sighed and looked at Jou before he sunk into the chair at his desk wearily. "We have a slight problem." Was all he said and Yami groaned, lowering his face to lean it in his hand. "Can't this wait? I just got up..."

"No. This needs to be taken care of *now*." He turned to Bakura. "Can you go and get Marik and Malik?" Bakura's mouth fell open. "And why can't you get them? You're closer to the door!" The brunette glared back at him. "Because I need to make sure Jou doesn't run at the slightest movement."

The blonde, who was now huddled on Seto's bed, cringed when the brunette looked at him. Bakura growled and walked out, but not before sending out a mesage of how lazy and arrogant Seto was through a shared mental link.

Yami chuckled, as did Yuugi when he heard the message. Seto sighed and dropped his head back against the back of the chair. Yami took one look at his face and became serious. Never before had he seen the brunette look that distressed in quite some time. "What happened?" he asked, his ruby eyes glancing over to Jonouichi and Ryou, who looked terrified.

Seto dragged a hand over his face wearily. "Jonouichi saw me talking with Anubis last night, and unfortunately dragged Ryou into this, which also has Bakura pissed at me." Yami sighed and rubbed his head as if it were throbbing, which at that moment it was. "Great.... This is the *last* thing we need.."

At that moment Marik amd Malik came bounding into the room, their identical faces filled with alarm. Yami glanced at them and groaned at their attire, which at the moment consisted of nothing but Malik in boxers and Marik in nothing but a shirt that was just long enough to cover him. "Let me reprhase that," Yami groaned. "*This* is the last thing we need."

Malik snickered. "I told you to get dressed." Marik glared at him and crossed his arms over his chest, which made his shirt ride up his thighs. "Well, if Mr. High and Mighty Bakura let me, I would ahve at least put underwear on. Seto gave a disgusted snort. "Can we think about the matter at hand right now?"

All the occupants of the room, save Jonouichi and Ryou looked to Seto. Yuugi sat on Yami's bed, his face confused. "Yami....what's an Anubis?" He asked innocently, lookig up at the taller boy. Yami sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I think it would be best if we explained this one at a time..." he said wearily.

I had been nearly five thousand hears since they had told this story, and it was evident on all thair faces the pain they would experience from the tales. When the room was silent, Yami spoke up.

"Let me start.."

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WOOT!!! Chapter eight is now up and running!! I'm sorry I've been making you wait so long! I've been job hunting....it's been hard. I've been unemployed for over a year... ugh....

No reviews!?!?!? My readers make me a sad little writer....Well, maybe you'll like this chapter better? Please.... *puppy eyes*

Next Chapter: The boys reveal their pasts!!